HOUSTON (AP) — Juan Soto hit his first homer with the New York Mets, helping his new team beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Friday night.
With two out in the third inning, Soto drove a 1-2 pitch from Hunter Brown deep to right for a solo shot that lifted New York to a 3-0 lead.
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New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos throws to first for the out after fielding a ground ball by Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) and Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) talk during the middle of the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve strikes out during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill throes during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) scores as Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown, rear, covers home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, hits a home run as Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz reaches for the pitch during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Soto's 390-foot shot came a day after he struck out on a full-count slider from closer Josh Hader with two on and two out in a 3-1 opening-day loss.
Before that, Soto singled and walked twice Thursday in his Mets debut. The slugger signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract as a free agent in December.
New York starter Tylor Megill (1-0) pitched five-plus innings of one-run ball. He allowed three hits, struck out six and walked one.
Edwin Díaz struck out one in a perfect ninth for his first save, finishing a three-hitter.
Brown (0-1) struck out seven in six innings. He allowed four hits and walked three.
Mark Vientos hit an RBI double for New York in the second and scored on a single by Jesse Winker.
Houston scored its only run in the fourth on Yordan Alvarez's sacrifice fly.
The Astros had a runner on first with one out in the eighth when Luisangel Acuña made a diving stop on Alvarez's grounder to second, popped up and threw to first for the out.
Houston was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
The Astros loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Reed Garrett struck out Alvarez before retiring Yainer Diaz on a fly ball to right-center.
The Mets have won the last seven games started by Megill dating to Aug. 30.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti opposes Griffin Canning when the series wraps up Saturday night. Arrighetti looks to build on a strong rookie season when his 171 strikeouts were the third-most by a rookie in franchise history.
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New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos throws to first for the out after fielding a ground ball by Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) and Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) talk during the middle of the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve strikes out during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill throes during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) scores as Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown, rear, covers home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, hits a home run as Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz reaches for the pitch during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
